FA Cup success on opening day of delayed new season

The Coronavirus delayed start to season 2020-21 finally got underway and it was good one for Ashford United, who ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over Whitehawk in the Emirates FA Cup at the Homelands.

In the starting XI, the hosts gave debuts to defenders Bradley Simms, Ben Gorham & Jon Richardson, whilst striker Johan Ter Horst - signed from Folkestone Invicta - tasked with filling the void upfront, following the departures of David Smith & Jay May.

Always on top, the Nuts & Bolts took the lead after eight minutes when Josh Wisson with a low bobbling effort, shot through a crowd of legs from the edge of the box, to find the bottom corner of the net. Wisson then almost doubled the lead, firing narrowly wide from a clever corner-kick routine as United continued to dominant proceedings.

A second goal was duly added in the 26th minute, albeit with a touch of fortune as Aaron Condon’s long-range effort took a wicked deflection, which completely bamboozled goalie James Broadbent.

Ter Horst was unable to get enough purchase on his effort, following a good run into the box, before Broadbent denied Adrian Stone saving low to his left, then just before the break a lob from Condon went close.

The second half, continued in the same vein as the opening 45 minutes, with the hosts in the ascendancy once more, Stone controlling the ball well then firing at Broadbent, who was alert to deny the 38-year old.

United wasted a free-kick opportunity, when Condon was unable to get any lift on the ball - like a golfer duffing a tee-shot - as the ball struck the defensive wall low down. The lively Ter Horst, then beat the offside trap, to poke the ball just inches wide of the target, before firing across the six-yard box.

Tom Fagg was alert to some slack defending by the Hawks but could only send a header over the crossbar as United searched in vain for the killer third goal. The visitors offered little going forward, with an almost redundant Sam Mott making his first meaningful save in the 72nd minute to deny substitute Ronald Sobowale.

Then despite a late rally by the Hawks, the result never really looked in doubt and it is Ashford who will enter the hat for the First Qualifying Round draw.

United begin their Isthmian League campaign on Saturday 19th September, when Phoenix Sports visit the Homelands, whilst the next round of the FA Cup takes place on Tuesday 22nd September, with news of the draw to follow.

ASHFORD UNITED
Sam Mott, Tariq Ossai, Bradley Simms, Josh Wisson, Ben Gorham, Jon Richardson, Bode Anidugbe, Tom Fagg, Johan Ter Horst, Adrian Stone (off 89), Aaron Condon (off 83)

Substitutes (used *) - Jack Miles * (on 89), Tim Ogunrinde, Theo Osinfolarin * (on 83), Charley McMillan Lopez, Ben Binder, Lee Hook (gk)

WHITEHAWK
James Broadbent, Luke Emberson, Harry Shooman, Marvin Hamilton-Omole, Frankie Chappell, Adam El-Abd, Lucas Santos Rodrigues (off 60), Rhyle Ovenden (off 61), Connor Tighe (off 61), Henry Muggeridge, David Martin

Substitutes (used *) - Lewis Unwin, James Fraser * (on 60), Ahmed Abdulla * (on 61), Ronald Sobowale * (on 61), Emmanuel Okorougo, Henry Blackmore, Reed Wilson (gk)

Match Reporter Kevin Hall